The moment Arthur's eyes met Shanks's, an unspoken tension filled the air. Shanks immediately felt that the boy standing in front of him was no ordinary child.
There was something deep inside Arthur, something hidden beneath his calm expression — a quiet, condensed strength that could only belong to someone who had already endured immense training.
Even Beckman, Lucky Roux, and Yasopp, who each possessed exceptionally sharp Observation Haki, could sense it as well.
The rhythm of Arthur's breathing, the faint pressure that surrounded him, and the composure in his stance all resembled that of a predator trapped in a corner, one that would never hesitate to fight back.
"Arthur, meet Shanks," Rayleigh began, smiling slightly as he gestured toward his old student. "He used to be one of our interns back on the ship, and look at him now. He's grown into quite a strong man."
Arthur looked at Shanks for a moment, then smiled, not a forced smile, but one that felt natural and pure.
It was a simple smile, yet somehow it carried a warmth that caught Shanks and his crew off guard.
It reminded them of someone from their past, someone full of energy and dreams — it reminded them of Luffy.
"Ah, you really do look a lot like Miss Shakky," Shanks said with a laugh. "You're both quite the lookers."
"My my, still smooth with your words, aren't you?" Shakky replied with a playful smile, while Rayleigh, who was sitting with a drink in his hand, turned to look at Shanks.
"What's that supposed to mean? Am I not a looker myself?" Rayleigh asked, pretending to sound offended, which only made Shanks laugh harder.
"Hahaha, you're already old, Ray-san," Shanks said bluntly, still laughing, and his laughter quickly spread to everyone else. Shakky chuckled softly while Arthur covered his mouth, trying not to laugh too loudly.
"You brat, don't make me look bad in front of my family," Rayleigh said, shaking his head, which only made them laugh even more.
After the laughter died down, the group began to eat together. Arthur had hunted a massive Sea King earlier that day, and its meat now filled the table.
Shanks took a bite, looked at the meal, and nodded in satisfaction.
"This is amazing. Where did you learn to hunt like that? You move like a professional," Shanks asked with genuine curiosity.
Arthur grinned and replied proudly, "From my pops, of course. He's been training me since I was five."
As Arthur started explaining how his training went, Shanks's smile wavered slightly, his memories flashing back to his own days under Rayleigh's strict guidance.
"Ugh, I feel bad for you already," Shanks muttered, rubbing his temple. "I went through the same thing back when I was still on their ship. Trust me, it's not a pleasant experience."
That made Shakky and Arthur laugh, while Rayleigh sighed and covered his face with his hand. "Don't out me like that, Shanks. You'll ruin my reputation."
Shanks only laughed harder. "Come on, Ray-san. You know it's true. But to be fair, that kind of training is what made me who I am today," he added, his tone softening a little.
Arthur nodded in agreement. "Yeah, I know what you mean. It's tough, but it helps you grow. I even learned how to use this."
As he said that, Arthur released his Conqueror's Haki. The pressure in the room shifted instantly. It wasn't wild, but it was dense and focused — pure and destructive.
Shanks's instincts reacted before his mind did, and his own Conqueror's Haki burst forth as a counter. The two waves collided invisibly, filling the air with tension.
Shanks's aura easily overwhelmed Arthur's, forcing Arthur's Haki to fade back in submission.
Realizing what he had done, Shanks quickly withdrew his Haki to stop the clash before it damaged the surroundings.
For a moment, the two just stared at each other. Then Arthur smiled again. "You're incredibly strong. I'm getting more and more excited about our battle."
Shanks blinked in confusion. "Battle? What battle?" he asked, tilting his head slightly.
"Well," Arthur said as he placed his sword beside him, "I have a proposal. I want to duel you — only swordsmanship, no Haki involved. If I win or even manage to tie, you'll let me board your ship. If I lose, I'll give you a Devil Fruit I found not long ago."
Both Shakky and Rayleigh froze, surprised by the sudden declaration.
"Arthur, you're still too young to be going on a journey," Shakky said softly, concern clear in her voice.
Rayleigh nodded, supporting her. This was the first time Arthur had ever openly expressed a desire to leave home.
Arthur looked down for a moment, then lifted his head. "I just want to see the world. Staying here feels like I'm tied down, and I don't like that feeling. I want to experience what's beyond this island."
Shanks looked at Arthur thoughtfully, then glanced at Rayleigh. Both of them could see a reflection of themselves in the boy's words.
That same restless desire — the urge to keep moving forward, to be free from anything that holds you back — was something they both knew well.
"Why only swordsmanship?" Shanks asked after a pause. "Don't you think you'd have a better chance if you used everything you had?"
Arthur shrugged slightly. "I figured it'd be fairer that way. Swordsmanship is what I'm best at. My Haki still needs work, and I don't have much experience using it in real fights. Besides, I'm only ten."
Shanks chuckled. "And what makes you think you can beat me in swordsmanship then?"
Arthur smiled. "I don't think that. I just said it's what I'm best at." His tone was calm, straightforward, and without arrogance.
That answer made Shanks laugh genuinely. He leaned back and looked at Arthur with interest.
"You're an interesting kid. Tell you what — there's no need for a duel. If your parents agree, I'll let you board my ship, but only as a trainee. You can stay until you're fifteen. After that, you'll have to decide on your own path. If they don't agree, you'll stay here and train quietly."
Shanks looked at Arthur, then added, "But I get the feeling you'd prefer the battle anyway, wouldn't you?"
Arthur nodded slightly. "I like fighting strong people," he said simply. Then he turned toward his parents, who exchanged glances.
They didn't need to speak to understand each other's thoughts.
After a few moments, they came to a silent agreement and looked back at their son, who was already smiling in anticipation.
"No," both Shakky and Rayleigh said at the same time.
The room went quiet for a second before Shanks and his crew burst out laughing, unable to hold it in any longer, while there was a shattering mirror sound on Arthur's mind.